Method for compacting material using a horizontal baler with movable bottom support ejector

ABSTRACT

A horizontal baler has a longitudinally extending generally rectangular frame assembly defining a receiving chamber and an adjacent aligned compaction chamber. Each of the chambers has a top, a bottom, and sides. A ram is mounted for reciprocation within the receiving chamber so that material therein may be transferred to the compaction chamber and compacted therein by reciprocation thereof. A first cylinder and piston assembly is longitudinally disposed within the frame assembly and is operably associated with the ram for causing reciprocation thereof. A door defines one of the sides of the compaction chamber. The door is selectively securable and movable relative to an opening communicating with the compaction chamber. A support defines a portion of the bottom of the compaction chamber. The support is reciprocable transverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly and is aligned with the door for moving compacted material through the opening. A second cylinder and piston assembly is disposed below and operably associated with the support for causing reciprocation thereof. The second cylinder and piston assembly is disposed transverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly. A strapping assembly is operably associated with the compaction chamber for permitting material compacted therein to be strapped prior to being moved through the opening.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/858,070 filed Mar. 26,1992 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,880.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention is directed to a machine for baling wastematerials, in particular recyclable waste materials. More specifically,the disclosed invention is directed to a horizontal baler wherein thematerial is first compressed within a compaction chamber by a firsthydraulically operated ram, the compressed material is then banded whilein the compaction chamber, the compaction pressure is then released, andfinally the bale is discharged by a second hydraulic ram movabletransversely to the first ram.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baling machines for waste and other compressible materials may be ofeither the horizontal or the vertical configuration. Regardless of theorientation of the baler, waste material is advanced from a receivingchamber to a compaction chamber wherein compression of the materialoccurs as additional material is transferred. Once the material hasattained a sufficient degree of compression, then there is a need forthe compressed material to be strapped in order to maintain thecompressed condition during handling and transport.

Certain balers, known as two-ram balers, utilize a full-size, high-powerram for transferring the compressed material from the compression orcompaction chamber into a separate strapping chamber in which the baleis tied. Other balers utilize automatic strappers that apply one strapat a time as the bale is incrementally ejected from the compressionchamber by a full-size, high-power ram. Each of these types of two-rambalers is relatively expensive because of the cost of the full-sized ramand its high-powered hydraulic system.

Another type of baler is the closed-end horizontal baler. These balersrequire that a formed bale be ejected by the next subsequent bale beingformed. Closed-end balers permit the compressed materials to beintermingled, because the material being compressed for one bale maybecome enmeshed in the immediately precedent bale. Closed-end balersalso require careful monitoring in order to permit the operator to knowwhen the bale has been ejected. Because intermingling of materials mayoccur in a closed-end baler, then they are not practicable for recyclingof materials. Recycling has received renewed interest recently, butrecycling customarily requires that different materials be keptseparated.

Those skilled in the art will understand that there is a need for arelatively high capacity two-ram baler which is suitable for use in therecycling industry. Such a two-ram baler should be relativelyinexpensive, should prevent intermingling of materials, and shouldoccupy as little space as possible. The disclosed invention is a two-ramhorizontal baler which straps the formed bale in the compressionchamber, and which transversely ejects the bale with a relatively lowpowered hydraulic ram because the compaction pressure is relieved by apivotal top on the chamber and partial retraction of the ram prior tobale ejection.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the disclosed invention is to provide a two-ramhorizontal baler which relieves the compaction pressure on the bale inorder to permit a relatively low pressure cylinder to be used for baleejection.

Another object of the disclosed invention is to provide a method forbaling materials which relieves the compaction pressure after the balehas been tied but prior to ejection.

A horizontal baler according to the invention comprises a longitudinallyextending generally rectangular frame assembly defining a receivingchamber and an adjacent aligned compaction chamber. Each of the chambershas a top, bottom, and sides. A ram is mounted for reciprocation withinthe receiving chamber so that material therein may be transferred to thecompaction chamber and compacted therein by reciprocation of the ram. Afirst cylinder and piston assembly is longitudinally disposed within theframe assembly and is operably associated with the ram for causingreciprocation thereof. A door defines one of the sides of the compactionchamber. The door is selectively securable and movable relative to anopening communicating with the compaction chamber. A support defines aportion of the bottom of the compaction chamber. The support isreciprocal transverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly and isaligned with the door for moving compacted material through the opening.A second cylinder and piston assembly is disposed below and operablyassociated with the support for causing reciprocation thereof. Thesecond cylinder and piston assembly is disposed transverse to the firstcylinder and piston assembly. A strapping means is operably associatedwith the compaction chamber for permitting material compacted therein tobe strapped prior to being moved by the support through the opening.

A horizontal baler comprises a longitudinally extending generallyrectangular ground engaging frame assembly defining a receiving chamberand a compaction chamber. Each of the chambers has a top, a bottom, andsides. A ram is mounted for reciprocation within the receiving chamberfor transferring material therefrom into the compacting chamber and forcausing compaction therein by reciprocation. The ram has a plurality ofspaced parallel slots. A door defines one of the sides of the compactionchamber and is pivotal between a first position closing the compactionchamber and a second position remote therefrom and thereby providing anopening to the compaction chamber. The door has a plurality of spacedparallel slots. First and second transversely disposed walls define twosides of the compaction chamber. The first wall extends transverse tothe door when the door is in the first position so that the second wallextends parallel thereto. Each of the walls has a plurality of spacedparallel slots. The slots of each of the walls, the door, and the ramare aligned and permit a banding strap to be inserted therein andthereby about the compaction chamber for permitting material within thecompaction chamber to be secured thereby. Means are operably associatedwith the compaction chamber for discharging baled material therefromthrough the opening.

A method of baling material comprises the steps of placing material tobe baled into a receiving chamber. A ram is reciprocated between firstand second ends of the receiving chamber for thereby transferring thematerial into an adjacent compaction chamber limited by the ram when theram is at the first end. Material is continually placed into thereceiving chamber and is transferred therefrom into the compactionchamber by the reciprocating ram for thereby causing the material in thecompaction chamber to be compacted into a bale. Straps are placed aboutthe bale while in the compaction chamber after a desired degree ofcompaction has been achieved. The compaction pressure on the bale isrelieved by moving the ram from the first end toward the second end, sothat the bale therefore may expand against the straps. The strapped baleis then discharged from the compaction chamber.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent in view of the following description and drawings of the abovedescribed invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages and novel features of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of ahorizontal baler according to the invention with waste being placed intothe receiving chamber;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section,illustrating the baler of FIG. 1 after a bale has been formed and strapsplaced about it;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions broken away,illustrating the baler of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the baler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3 andviewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partially in section, illustrating thebale of FIG. 5 being ejected from the compaction chamber;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, of theejection door of the baler;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions shown in phantom,of the ejection door of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view, partially in section,of the door latching mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view, with portions broken away forclarity, of the bale transport system of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the bale transport systemof FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line13--13 of FIG. 11 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Horizontal baler B, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3, includes a groundengaging generally rectangular frame assembly 10. Receiving chute 12communicates with receiving chamber R through opening 14 in top 16.Compaction chamber C is interconnected, adjacent, and aligned withreceiving chamber R for reasons to be further explained.

Hydraulic cylinder 18 has a longitudinally extensible piston 20connected to block 22. Block 22 is secured to vertically disposed plate24 by welding or the like. Beams 26, 28, 30, and 32 are secured to frontface 34 of plate 24 in spaced parallel relation, and plates 27, 29, 31and 33 are secured, respectively, to the beams 26, 28, 30 and 32. Slide36 is secured to plate 24 and beam 26 and extends rearwardly therefromparallel to centrally disposed piston 20. Plate 38 is secured to slide36 and extends rearwardly therefrom to provide a valve blocking chute 12and closing opening 14 when the ram 40, formed by the beams 26, 28, 30and 32 and plate 24, is in the forward or extended orientation shown inFIG. 2. The plate 38 is, preferably, secured laterally to supports 42,only one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The ram 40, when in the extendedposition of FIG. 2 delimits compaction chamber C.

Slots 44 are disposed in spaced parallel relation along ram 40 betweenthe plates 27 and 29, 29 and 31, and 31 and 33. Slots 44 receive wiresor bands 46 which extend about the compaction chamber C as will befurther explained. Although I prefer that the bands 46 be wires orsimilar members which may be tied together, those skilled in the artwill understand that there are various other means available for bandinga bale.

Bale server S, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-13, includes a centerplate 48 disposed between parallel plates 50 and 52 within compactionchamber C. The plates 48, 50 and 52 provide a floor or bottom for thecompaction chamber C. The plate 48 preferably has a width less than thewidth of the parallel plates 50 and 52, and the width should be lessthan the spacing of the forks on a handtruck, such as the truck 54 ofFIG. 6. Because the plate 48 has a width less than the distance betweenthe forks of the handtruck 54, then a bale, such as the bale 56 of FIG.6, may be received by the truck 54 for transport to some furtherlocation.

Support tubes 58 and 60 are secured to the plate 48 along the lowersurface 62 thereof. It can be seen in FIG. 12 that each of the tubes 58and 60 is secured so that a portion of the adjacent plate 50 or 52 restsupon the corresponding tube 58 or 60 in order to provide lateral supportfor the plates 50 and 52. The tubes 58 and 60 extend substantially thelength of the plate 48 in order to prevent bending of the plate 48 whenin the bale serving or extended position illustrated in FIG. 6. Becausethe plates 48, 50 and 52 are laterally supported throughout theirlength, then there is minimal tendency for deflection or bending as thebaler B is operated and a bale 56 formed.

Tubes 64 and 66 span the gap or openings 72 in the beams 68 and 70 ofthe ground engaging frame 10. Braces 74 extend between the tubes 64 and66 in order to provide rigidity for the bale server S components. Plate76 is welded to the tubes 64 and 66 and the braces 74 in order toprovide a continuous support surface for the bale server S duringretraction and extension of the plate 48.

Hydraulic cylinder 78 is connected to the ground engaging frame 10 atone end and has a piston 80 connected to plate 48 through block 82. Thecylinder 78 is hydraulically operated, and extension or retraction ofthe piston 80 causes corresponding movement of the plate 48. I preferthat the cylinder 78 be a 2.5 in. bore cylinder, operating at 2,500p.s.i. to generate about 12,300 pounds of force. Angle 84 is secured tothe plate 48 and is movable therewith and extends the width of thecompaction chamber C in order to prevent a bale from becoming stuck incompaction chamber C.

Compaction chamber C, as best shown in FIG. 3, is bounded at one end byram 40, and at the opposite end by wall 86. A further wall 88 bounds oneside of the compaction chamber C, while the opposite side is bounded bydoor 90. Door 90 pivots about hinge 92 in order to either close thecompaction chamber C or to permit access thereto through the resultingopening. Door 90 is selectively securable by virtue of latch assembly 94secured to wall 86.

Door 90, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is defined by spaced parallelchannels 96, 98, 100 and 102. Angle 104 and tube 106 extend in spacedparallel relation on opposite sides of door 90 and each of the channels96, 98, 100, and 102 is secured thereto by welding or the like. Angles108 are positioned within each of the channels 96, 98, 100 and 102proximate the middle to provide support and to prevent bending of thechannels by the compaction pressure exerted within the compactionchamber C. Beam 110 defines the upper limit of the door 90, and plate112 extends angularly therefrom toward compaction chamber C. Plate 112,as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, has supports 114, 116, 118, and 120 inorder to prevent the plate 112 from being bent as the door 90 isoperated. It can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 that the plate 112 extendsabove the compaction chamber C the most adjacent the angle 104 anddiminishes as the tube 106 is approached. Plate 112 overlies angle 122secured to pivotal door 124 forming the top of compaction chamber C. Theoverlying relationship of the plate 112 to the angle 122 provides a lockso that the door 124 stays closed when the door 90 is in the latchedposition of FIG. 7.

Slots 126 are formed in the door 90 between the channels 96 and 98, 98and 100, and 100 and 102 in order to receive the bands 46, as best shownin FIG. 5. The slots 126 are aligned with the slots 44 in the ram 40 sothat the wires or bands 46 may be easily passed therethrough when thebale 56 is being tied.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, wall 86 includes a plurality of spacedparallel beams 128. Channels 130, 132, 134,.and 136 are secured to thebeams 128 and span the width of the compaction chamber C. Tubes 138extend along the top of the beams 128 in order to provide rigidity. Afurther tube 140 is secured to the beams 128 and is disposed within thecompaction chamber C and above the channel 136. Plate 142 has a lowertapered edge 152 and an upper flat edge 154 on which door 124 rests. Thetapered edge 152 cooperates with adjacent tapered edge 156 of the plate144 in order to provide a slot 158. Each of the plates 144, 146, 148 and150 has tapered edges 152 and 156 in order to define for receiving awire tie 46 slots 158. The tapered edges provide a relatively smallopening for waste material, and thereby prevent the chambers 160 frombecoming blocked. It can be seen in FIG. 10 that each of the chambers160 has a vertical dimension much in excess of the vertical dimension ofthe corresponding slot 158, thereby facilitating positioning of the wirebands 46 about chamber C. The wire bands 46 are smaller than the slots158, so that they may be pulled therethrough when the bale 56 is beingtied or the pressure released and the bale permitted to expand. Each ofthe slots 158 is aligned with one of the slots 126 in the door 90.

Wall 88, as best shown in FIG. 5, is formed by braced, spaced, parallelplates 162. A lower plate 164 is disposed above angle 84 which providesthe lower limit for wall 88. Slots 166 are formed between the plates 162and 164 in order to receive the wire ties 46. Slots 166 need not betapered, because I wish the opening to be relatively large in order topermit relative ease in the insertion of wire ties 46.

I have found that guides 168 should be provided in alignment with theslots 166 in order to permit the wire ties 46 to more easily turn aboutthe wall 88 in order to be received within the slots 158 of the wall 86or slots 44 of ram 40. The guides 168 have an opening of about thevertical dimension of the slots 166. Guides 168 are defined by members170, 172, 174, 176, and 178, as best shown in FIG. 3, to which upper andlower plates 180 and 182, respectively, are secured. Although the guides168 extend outwardly from the wall 88 by some distance, they do notextend so far as to take up an inordinate amount of space and they havea generally rounded orientation in order to cause the ties 46 to bendand thereby extend through the slots 158 and 44. The baler B stillrequires relatively little floor space, and the configuration of theguides 168 is such as to minimize tripping and striking hazards.

Latch assembly 94, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, includes a bracket184 secured to an adjacent two of the beams 128. Clevis 186 is hingedlysecured to bracket 184 by pin 188. Threaded shaft 190 extends fromclevis 186 and is threadedly engaged with turnbuckle 192. Threaded shaft194 extends from the opposite side of turnbuckle 192 and has clevis 196hingedly connected to fork 198 by pin 200. The threads on the shafts 190and 194 are oppositely oriented, so that rotation of the turnbuckle 192causes the shafts 190 and 194 to be either drawn into the turnbuckle 192or be moved outwardly relative thereto in order to cause correspondingmovement of the fork 198.

Tube 202 is welded to beam 204 interconnecting beam 70 with beam 68, asbest shown in FIG. 7. Hinge assembly 206 has a first portion secured totube 202 and a second portion secured to angle 208. Angle 104 as bestshown in FIG. 9, has a surface 210 against which tine 212 is received.Tine 214 of fork 198, on the other hand, is disposed outwardly of andsecured to angle 208. Tine 212 is disposed at an angle to tine 214 inorder to permit the fork 198 to be pivoted about pin 200 before thesurface 216 of tine 212 engages the interior of the tube 104. Surface216 acts as a camming surface to help force door 90 open in the event itshould become stuck in the closed position.

Door 124 pivots about hinge 218 connected to wall 88, as best shown inFIGS. 4-6. The door 124 moves about an axis defined by the hinge 218which is spaced from and disposed transverse to the axis about which thedoor 90 moves by virtue of the hinge 92. Because of the overlyingrelation of the plate 112 to the angle 122, then the door 124 willremain in the closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when thedoor 90 is likewise in the closed position.

Operation of the turnbuckle 192 causes the angle 208 to pivot about thehinge assembly 206 in order to permit the door 90 to be opened. Openingdoor 90 likewise allows the door 124 to open. Rotation of the turnbuckle192 is performed manually, so that the door 90 opens and closesrelatively slowly. Because of the relative slowness with which the door90 opens, then the compaction pressure exerted on the bale 56 is slowlyrelieved. A slow release of the compaction pressure substantiallyminimizes any tendency for objects within the compaction chamber C to beviolently expelled. I furthermore relieve the compaction pressure bymoving the ram 40 relative to the compaction chamber C by a distancesufficient to allow expansion of the bale 56 and by pivoting the door124 upwardly as shown in FIG. 6. Release of the pressure on the bale 56within the compaction chamber C causes a slight expansion in the bale56, thereby minimizing the need to have the ties or bands 46 pooledtight against the bale 56 initially. The bands or ties 46 may thereforebe placed by hand, because the expanding bale 56 will pull them snug.

Operation of the baler B is relatively simple, and minimizes thecomplexities of the prior two-ram and closed-end balers. The baler Balso occupies minimal floor space, thereby avoiding the relatively largesize of the conventional two-ram balers.

The ram 40 may be maintained in the extended position, as shown in FIG.2, so that material W deposited within chute 12 is prevented fromentering the interior by the plate 38. Plate 38 therefore serves as avalve. Once sufficient material is within the chute 12, then piston 20is retracted, thereby causing the ram 40 to also retract and permit thematerial to fall into receiving chamber R. After the material has beenreceived within the chamber R, then the ram 40 is moved forwardly byextension of the piston 20. The cylinder 18 preferably has a 7 in. boreand generates 96,200 pounds of force at 2,500 p.s.i. The ram 40 movesforwardly so that all material is transferred into the compactionchamber C, and any hanging from the chute 12 is broken by the force ofcylinder 18. Ram 40 may, as noted, be maintained in the extended orforward position until it is desired to once again cycle the ram 40 fortransferring other material from the chute 12 into the receiving chamberR and ultimately into the compaction chamber C. This cycling operationis continued until the material within the compaction chamber C hasobtained a suitable degree of compaction. Adequate compaction isdetermined through the use of a limit switch, timer, and pressuresensor. I provide a switch 220 attached to side wall 222 or wall 223 inorder to determine when the piston 20 has reached maximum extension. Thecontrol system 224 for the hydraulic drives has a timer and pressuresensor, so that a compacted bale may be detected. Should five (5)seconds and a pressure of 2,300 p.s.i. be required to trip limit switch220, then I know that adequate compaction has occurred and that the baleis ready to be tied and ejected.

Once the material within the compaction chamber C has attained thedesired degree of compaction, then the ties or straps 46 are manuallyinserted through the slots 126, and then through the slots 44, and 166and into the guides 168, where they are turned so as to exit on theopposite side in order to move through the slots 160. The ties thenextend through the slots 126 in the door 90, and are manually tied asillustrated in FIG. 3. After all straps 46 have been thus inserted andtied, then the ram 40 is partially retracted, and the turnbuckle 192 isoperated in order to permit the door 90 to be opened. Because of thetapered edge 113 on the plate 112, then the door 124 will slowly open asthe door 90 pivots about the hinge 92 as a result of the camming surface216 engaging angle 104. Slow opening of the doors 90 and 124 incombination with retraction of the ram 40 permits the tied bale 56 toexpand slightly within the compaction chamber C in order to cause theties 46 to become snug. Once the ties 46 have become snug, then the door90 is pivoted by the full amount, as shown in FIG. 6, thereby exposingthe,opening to the compaction chamber C.

Once the door 90 has been pivoted to the open position of FIG. 6, thenpiston 80 is extended. Extension of the piston 80 causes the plate 48 tobe moved through opening 72. The tied bale 56 moves with the plate 48because of the angle 84. The tied bale 56 thus moves through the openingprovided by the door 90, and may be removed from the bale server S bythe truck 54 or similar transport means.

Once the tied bale 56 has been removed, then the door 124 lowers andrests on the edge 154 of plate 142 and the door 90 is pivoted into theclosed orientation of FIGS. 4 and 5. When the door 90 has been closed,then the turnbuckle 192 is once again manually rotated, so that the fork198 causes the angle 208 to engage the angle 104 and thereby lock thedoor 90 in the closed position.

Because of the bale server S, then a partially compacted bale may beremoved from compaction chamber C. This feature permits different typesof materials to be baled without intermingling occurring. Typicaltwo-ram and closed end balers use the formation of one bale as theejection force for an already formed bale, thus permitting materialintermingling to occur.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, itis understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/oradaptations of the invention, following in general the principle of theinvention and including such departures from the present disclosure ascome within known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains, and as may be applied to the central featureshereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention ofthe limits of the appended claims.

What I claim is:
 1. The method of baling material, comprising the stepsof:a) placing material to be baled into a receiving chamber; b)reciprocating a ram between first and second ends of the receivingchamber and thereby transferring the material into an adjacentcompaction chamber limited by the ram when at the first end; c)continuing to place material into the receiving chamber and to transferthe material into the compaction chamber and thereby causing thematerial in the compaction chamber to be compacted into a bale; d)placing straps about the bale while in the compaction chamber after adesired degree of compaction has been achieved; e) relieving thecompaction pressure on the bale by moving the ram from the first endtoward the second end and thereby allowing the bale to expand againstthe straps; and f) moving a first door defining a portion of thecompaction chamber, the first door being selectively movable between afirst orientation closing the compaction chamber and a secondorientation providing a first opening communicating with the compactionchamber; g) moving a second door defining the top of the compactionchamber, the second door being selectively movable between a firstorientation closing the compaction chamber and a second orientationproviding a second opening communicating with the compaction chamber;and h) moving a support which defines a portion of the compactionchamber bottom through the first opening for discharging said compactedand strapped bale of material therethrough.
 2. The method of claim 1,including the steps of:a) actuating a first hydraulic drive meansmounted to the ram for causing reciprocation thereof; and b) actuating asecond hydraulic drive means disposed below the support and operablyconnected thereto for causing movement thereof.
 3. The method of claim2, including the steps of:a) pivoting each of the doors between theorientations; and b) pivoting the first door on an axis transverse tothe axis on which the second door pivots.
 4. The method of claim 3,including the steps of:a) overlying a portion of the first door with aportion of the second door such that the first door is engageable withthe second door when the doors are in the first orientations forsecuring the second door in the first orientation; and b) securing thefirst door in the first orientation by securing means which are operablyassociated with the doors.
 5. The method of claim 4, including the stepsof:a) providing the first door with oppositely disposed first and secondends; b) pivoting the first door about an axis associated with the firstend; c) providing securing means which are operably associated with thesecond end; and d) pivoting a member about an axis disposed parallel tothe axis about which the first door pivots between a first position insecuring engagement with the first door and a second position remotetherefrom.
 6. The method of claim 5, including the step of:a)reciprocating a drive means along an axis transverse to the axis onwhich the member pivots.
 7. The method of claim 6, including the stepsof:a) providing first and second threaded shafts, one of the shaftsoperably connected to the member and the other of the shafts secured tothe compaction chamber; b) rotating a turn buckle which is threadedlyengaged with each of the shafts so that rotation of the turn bucklecauses movement of the shaft and thereby pivoting of the member; c)providing a plate and first and second spaced tubes secured to the platealong the lower surface thereof; and d) providing the second hydraulicmeans which is disposed between the tubes and has a first portionsecured to the receiving chamber and a second extensible portion securedto the support.
 8. The method of claim 7, including the steps of:a)providing a brace secured to the plate along an upper surface thereofand defining a portion of an associated side of the compaction chamber;b) providing a plurality of spaced parallel line slots in the ram andthe sides of the compaction chamber for permitting insertiontherethrough of a banding strap; and c) providing adjacently disposedmembers defining each of said slots, at least two of the members havingan edge tapering from the compaction chamber in order to provide a strapreceiving chamber.
 9. A method for compacting material and ejecting astrapped compacted bale therefrom, comprising the steps of:a) placingmaterial to be baled into a receiving chamber; b) reciprocating a rambetween first and second ends of the receiving chamber therebytransferring the material into an adjacent compaction chamber limited bythe ram when at the first end, the compaction chamber and receivingchamber mounted upon a generally rectangular ground engaging frameassembly, the ram being movable by a first cylinder and piston assemblywhich is longitudinally disposed within the frame assembly and operablyassociated with the ram for causing reciprocation thereof, thecompaction chamber having a top, a bottom and sides; c) continuing toplace material into the receiving chamber and to transfer the materialinto the compaction chamber and thereby causing the material in thecompaction chamber to be compacted into a bale; d) placing straps aboutthe bale while in the compaction chamber after a desired degree ofcompaction has been achieved; e) relieving the compaction pressure onthe bale by moving the ram from the first end toward the second endthereby aligning the bale to expand against the strap; f) moving a firstdoor which defines one of the sides of the compaction chamber from asecured position to an unsecured position so as to provide an openingfor the compaction chamber; g) reciprocating a support which is mountedtransverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly and is aligned withthe door for discharging said compacted and strapped bale of materialthrough the opening, the support defining a portion of the bottom of thecompaction chamber; and h) reciprocating a second cylinder and pistonassembly which is operably associated with the support and is disposedtransverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, including the steps of:a) pivoting the door about an axisextending transverse to the second cylinder and piston assembly; and b)securing the door in a position closing the openings by means which aremounted to the frame assembly on a side of the door opposite the axis.11. The method of claim 10, including the steps of:a) providing a doorwhich has oppositely disposed first and second sides, the first sidethereof being hingedly connected to the frame assembly; b) pivoting thedoor about the axis, the second side of the door being operablyassociated with the securing means; and c) providing securing meanswhich includes a portion extending substantially the length of the doorsecond side.
 12. The method of claim 11, including the steps of:a)providing a second axis extending parallel to the first axis, theportion being pivotal about the second axis; and b) providing thesecuring means with drive means operably associated with the portion forpivoting the portion about the second axis between a first positionwherein the door may be pivoted to expose the opening and a secondposition securing the door.
 13. The method of claim 12, including thesteps of:a) extending the drive means in a direction generallytransverse to the second axis, the drive means being adapted forrelatively slowly pivoting of the portion about the second axis:; and b)permitting the door to be relatively slowly pivoted about the first axisso that pressure in the compacted material may be released.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, including the steps of:a) providing first and secondthreaded shafts, one of the shafts being secured to the frame assemblyand the other of the shafts secured to the portion; and b) rotating aturnbuckle which is operably engaged with each of the shafts so rotationof the turnbuckle causes associated movement of the shafts relativethereto for thereby causing associated pivoting of the portion.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, including the steps of:a) providing said compactingchamber which is generally U-shaped in plan and is defined by first,second, and third sides, and each side extends generally transverse tothe adjacent side so that the first and second sides extend in parallel;b) providing said first door which is operably associated with the firstside; and c) providing drive means which are operably associated withthe second side.
 16. The method of claim 15, including the steps of:a)moving a second door between a closed and open position, the second doordefining the top of the compaction chamber; b) locking the first andsecond doors of the compaction chamber in the compaction chamberdefining orientations with a lock means; and c) providing each of thedoors with a pivotal axis of rotation, the axes being generallyperpendicular to each other.
 17. The method of claim 16, including thesteps of:a) providing a first door axis which is associated with oneside of the compaction chamber and the second door axis which isassociated with an opposite side of the compaction chamber; and b)providing a first door lock means which includes a first angle memberand the second door lock means includes a second angle member, one ofthe members overlying the other for maintaining the doors in thecompaction chamber defining orientations.
 18. The method of claim 17,including the steps of:a) providing a first member which overlies thesecond member; and b) providing strapping means which includes aplurality of aligned slots in each of the compaction chamber sides andthe ram, each of the slots for receiving a banding strap.